THE potential for an elected mayor who would make key decisions for the Liverpool City Region, including St Helens, appears to be gathering pace as local councils consider striking a devolution deal.

The proposals became clearer as council leaders, including St Helens’ Barrie Grunewald, drew up a wishlist of powers they want to secure from the government.

The devolution plans were discussed at a meeting of the Combined Authority, which is made up of Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Halton, Sefton and St Helens councils.

Council leaders want more local decision-making powers to accelerate economic growth, improve public services and improve social outcomes and create better health and wellbeing for local residents. 

But with any deal comes the possibility of introducing an elected mayor, something which has been met with resistance in the past from St Helens. 
Documents discussed by the Combined Authority show members seemingly welcoming a metro mayor.

The report said: “We also recognise that the ‘prize’ of devolution may necessitate a ‘price’ to be paid in respect of the government’s stated aim of introducing an elected mayor for the city region.

“We are prepared to consider making a change in our local governance arrangements but only when we have considered the outcome of the negotiations with government on the devolution package for the city region.”

Requests for devolved powers include, among others:

  • A funding settlement covering more than one year to help plan and provide sustainable services for local residents and businesses;
  • The creation of a land commission to oversee how the public sector estate is used;
  • Local control over the Mersey Tunnel tolls;
  • Reshaping and restructuring local skills and advisory systems to respond to local needs
  • Retaining business rates income;
  • Designating the Liverpool Wirral Port system a Free Trade Zone which would promote international trade opportunities;
  • Managing local bus services with the ability to set routes and fares

The combined authority fears the Government’s forthcoming Spending Review is expected to result in more reductions in funding for the City Region, so the devolution submission highlights areas where local decision-making would help to deal with those reductions.

It adds that any devolution deal “will aim to accelerate economic growth, improve public services and improve social outcomes and create better health and wellbeing for local residents”.

Cllr Grunewald said: “We’re keen to see greater powers for the Liverpool City Region, but the question has always been around exactly how that will happen.

“We need to see exactly what the Government comes back with – and whether it’s in the best interests of St Helens – before we move forward with any devolution decisions.”

Cllr Phil Davies, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said “We need decisions to be taken locally instead of being taken by people in Whitehall who don’t understand our priorities and concerns as well as we do.

Following our submission on Friday, I and my City Region colleagues look forward to having further discussions with Government to develop this agenda further.”

Detailed negotiations will then follow until mid-November when the details of what is on offer will be shared with the individual local authorities. Formal implementation of any governance arrangements would come into effect from April 2017 at the earliest.